Apple is known for releasing frequent updates to its iOS operating system, bringing new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. The latest update, iOS 17.5, is expected to arrive soon, and many iPhone users are eager to learn what it offers.

iOS 17.5 Latest Update Everything You Need To Know

Apple has officially released iOS 17.5 to the general public. The update brings a handful of new features and changes for iPhone users. Released in May 2024, iOS 17.5 is likely the final update for the iOS 17 series before the release of iOS 18. While it doesn’t boast a massive feature overhaul, it brings some noteworthy additions. Apple News Plus subscribers can now enjoy a new daily word game called Quartiles and access articles, audio stories, and puzzles even when offline.

• Web Distribution in the EU
• New Quartiles game for Apple News+
• Design changes
• New Pride wallpaper
• Find My network updates
• New ‘Repair State’
• iOS 17.5’s security fixes

What’s New in iOS 17.5?

Web Distribution in the EU

Within the European Union, the latest iOS 17.5 update introduces the capability to install applications directly from a developer’s website. Apple unveiled this new “Web Distribution” feature last month, explaining that it allows developers to distribute their iOS apps straight from their own websites.

To utilize this functionality, developers must opt into the updated App Store business terms, which requires paying a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for every first annual installation exceeding one million in the preceding 12 months.

Any application disseminated through the web will still need to adhere to Apple’s notarization guidelines. Apps can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect. Apple will also provide a range of APIs for developers to integrate with system functionality.

New Quartiles game for Apple News+

In the Apple News app, Apple News+ subscribers in the United States and Canada will find a new “Quartiles” word game after updating to iOS 17.5. The game prompts players to select from a grid of tiles to form words. Absolutely, here’s a detailed description of the new “Quartiles” game introduced in iOS 17.5 for Apple News+ subscribers in the United States and Canada.

iOS 17.5 also adds Game Center integration to all three of the Apple News+ games. With this feature, you can now see leaderboards for each of the three games for Daily Solve Time and Daily Score stats.

What is Quartiles?

Quartiles is a word game available within the Apple News app. It joins the existing daily crossword and crossword mini-games that were introduced earlier for Apple News+ subscribers.

How to Play

While specific details about the gameplay mechanics are yet to be revealed by Apple, based on the name “Quartiles” we can infer it likely involves forming words from a grid of tiles. This suggests a game similar to Scrabble or Words with Friends.

Design Changes of iOS 17.5

While Apple releases new versions of iOS throughout the year, typically major design changes come with a numbered update (like iOS 17 to iOS 18). iOS 17.5, released in May 2024, focused on bug fixes, stability improvements, and minor additions like a new word game in Apple News and an update to the Podcasts widget.

• The Podcasts widget has been updated to have a new dynamic color that changes based on the artwork of the podcast you’re currently playing.
• In the Apple Books app, Apple has redesigned the “Reading Goal” icon in top navigation bar.
• In the Settings app, there is a new glyph for the “Passkeys Access for Web Browsers” menu under “Privacy & Security.”

New Pride wallpaper

The new Pride wallpaper, called “Pride Radiance,” features luminous strokes of color that form the word “pride” on the iPhone and iPad lock screen. While not technically a live wallpaper with animation, it is dynamic and changes as you interact with your device [2].

iOS 17.5 also includes a new Pride Collection of wallpapers for iPhone and iPad users, as is tradition. The new dynamic wallpapers come as part of Apple’s goal to “champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities.”

• Celebrates LGBTQ+ pride: The vibrant colors and the very word “pride” itself make it clear that this wallpaper is designed to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community [2].
• Dynamic design: The wallpaper changes color as you interact with your device, adding a touch of personality [2].
• Available for iPhone and iPad: You can set the new Pride wallpaper on both your iPhone and iPad if you’ve updated to iOS 17.5 [2].

Find My network updates

As explained by Apple, iOS 17.5 includes a new system centered around anti-stalking capabilities for accessories like Air Tags. This development follows Apple’s announcement last year of a partnership with Google to collaborate on a new “industry specification to combat unwanted tracking.”

1. Identifying and Disabling Unwanted Tracking Accessories:

• This update builds on Apple’s collaboration with Google to develop new anti-tracking standards.
• iPhone users with iOS 17.5 will now benefit from the ability to detect tracking accessories, even those not part of the Apple Find My network or certified by Apple.
• If a suspicious tracker is identified, the “Find My” app will provide instructions on how to disable it, potentially through disabling Bluetooth connectivity or removing its battery.

2. Improved User Safety:

• This update strengthens user privacy by giving you more control over who can track your location.
• By identifying unauthorized trackers, you can take steps to prevent them from following you without your knowledge.

3. Industry Collaboration for a Safer Tracking Ecosystem:

• Apple’s partnership with Google highlights a broader industry effort to combat unwanted tracking.
• This collaboration suggests that future updates might see even more comprehensive anti-tracking features across different devices and platforms.

New ‘Repair State’

Also in iOS 17.5, Apple has added a new “Repair State” feature to Find My. This feature lets users confirm with their Apple ID and password that they’re about to send their iPhone in for a repair. As a result, Apple technicians can confirm that the person owns the iPhone and then proceed with the repair without the need to turn off Stolen Device Protection and Find My.

How Repair State Works:

Repair State eliminates the need to disable “Find My” altogether. Here’s what you do:

1. Navigate to the “Find My” app on your iPhone.
2. Select “Devices” and choose the iPhone you’re sending for repair.
3. Look for the “Remove This Device” option, usually near the bottom of the menu.
4. Instead of removing the device, you’ll see a prompt to “Prepare for Repair.”

By enabling Repair State, you essentially confirm with your Apple ID and password that you’re authorizing the repair. This allows Apple technicians to verify your ownership without needing to disable “Find My.”

Benefits of Repair State:

• Convenience: No more waiting an hour at the Apple Store to disable “Find My.”
• Peace of Mind: Your iPhone remains trackable throughout the repair process using “Find My.”
• Security: Verification via Apple ID ensures only the authorized owner can prepare the device for repair.

iOS 17.5’s security fixes

Apple’s recent iOS 17.5 update prioritizes shoring up your iPhone’s defenses. While it brought new features like cross-platform tracker detection, the spotlight is on its 15 security patches. You can find the full list of these changes in our dedicated coverage. Even if none of the new features in iOS 17.5 are tempting for you, we recommend updating as soon as possible for those security fixes.

Here’s a breakdown of the update’s focus on security:

• Plugging Major Holes: The update addresses critical vulnerabilities across various iPhone components, including the kernel, WebKit (the engine behind Safari), and the Find My app. These patches prevent potential security breaches like unauthorized code execution, privilege escalation (giving attackers more control), and bypassing security measures.
• Examples of Patched Threats:
  • Find My Flaw: A vulnerability allowed malware to exploit the Find My app, potentially exposing your location to attackers.
  • Apple Maps Leak: Sensitive location data on Apple Maps was accessible to malicious apps interacting with the navigation software.
  • Notes Lock Screen Access: Hackers could have gained access to the Notes app from the lock screen if a device was stolen.
• Not a Perfect Patch: While iOS 17.5 bolsters security, it introduced a minor bug related to notification functionality for AirTag and third-party tracker alerts. Apple is likely to address this in a future update.